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What a mess. This project has been around for 10 months with little discussion and objection. Suddenly it's paranoia mode, with suggestions that dark forces in the US are using it for nefarious means. Then sudden requests for information, but the information presented is deemed inadequate and more information is requested- presumably because it's missing details about the shadowy influences.

One theory that was presented is the NASA mission is being pushed through in exchange for a US visa for Thaksin, therefore the primary benefit is Mr. Shinawatra himself. Sure, because that's the way US agencies work.

The government could have actually approved the project and defended the decision later, but given how the Democrats have been salivating over this issue it would no doubt have resulted in a battle of authority and futher rumormongering. So knowing that putting the issue up for debate in parliament would kill it, the government choses to kill it rather than face a mess later.

I was following this too, it's a shame really. What you've said is true - it seems like what was a scientific endeavour was just turned into a party political stunt by Thailand. Absolutely, no one wins, and science loses - particularly, Thai science/Thailand loses, it if ever wants to be taken seriously on the international stage.

Why would US deny a visa to Thaksin in the first place? He's an upstanding citizen of Montenegro for all I know. The risk that he'll overstay and work illegally in a Thai restaurant or become a burden on the U.S. state finances does not seem excessive either.

As for the NASA project cancellation, it's a fabricated result of Thai political infighting (much as that brief fake standoff with Cambodia was, but without any deaths). There is no real problem or pressing concern on either side.

It's when things like this happen that I realise thailand would be better off if they just packed up all the politicians, red shirts and yellow shirts, everyone political related and sent them off on an ice berg.